4 unmissable wildlife experiences

The main kitchen at the Westin Copley Place Boston is very busy — vast and filled with industrial-size equipment to serve the hotel’s guests and extensive banquet facilities. But once a month, when the bakeshop section is quiet, a group of amateurs gathers in that kitchen to learn from Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Roy Kaler.

Vietnam takes the imperial grandeur of China and the waterlogged landscapes of Southeast Asia, stirs in a double dose of rich history and fabulous flavors and serves the resulting cocktail over ice as the sun dips behind the mountains.

“Are you ready, people?” the man cries out. The onlookers around him in Mallory Square stamp their feet and clap their hands. He’s shirtless and lean, and he’s got them hooked. “Remember, I’m 65 years old, but I’m gonna dive through that hoop straight onto the hard concrete!” A lady he’s selected from the crowd stands with the hoop at the end of her outstretched arms. “And guess what you all gonna do?,” the street performer continues with gusto, patrolling like a ringmaster. “You gonna put money in this bucket!” He selects another victim and shakes a red bucket playfully under his nose. “Don’t worry if you ain’t got a 20-buck note, mister. Two tens will do!”

When you travel, where you stay is only one piece of the puzzle. Equally as important are the experiences you have abroad: the things you see, the food you eat, the people you meet. And as of late, there is more interest than ever in travel experiences: cooking classes, snorkeling, ghost tours, wine tastings, trolley rides, all of it.

The chance to spot a bear, bison, or bald eagle in the wild is one of the major reasons travelers visit the United States’ 63 national parks. You might assume that a megafauna mecca like Yellowstone National Park would offer the best odds of seeing multiple animals. 

TripAdvisor (owner of SmarterTravel.com) is among a select few corporations that wear their social conscience on their sleeves, due in large part to the conviction and efforts of company founder and CEO Steve Kaufer. The company’s latest initiative, announced this week: a ban on sales of tickets to animal attractions “where travelers come into physical contact with captive wild animals or endangered species, including but not limited to elephant rides, petting tigers, and swim with dolphin attractions.”

Airbnb is expanding beyond the rental-sphere. The ubiquitous home-sharing platform announced today that it will now connect travelers and locals for more than just a place to sleep. “Trips” is a new Airbnb feature that allows locals to list their own “Experiences” and “Places” for visitors to try out. They include classes, guided tours, and hidden local spots in the following 12 cities, with more to be added:

Italy’s Riviera di Ponente, or Western Riviera, has long attracted travelers—in the late 19th century new rail connections made it easier for well-heeled and titled English and Russians to escape their dreary winters, but before and after WWII, destinations on the Côte d'Azur and Riviera di Levante (the Eastern Riviera), like Rapallo, Portofino, and later, Cinque Terre, stepped into the spotlight, drawing celebrity names and eventually flocks of tourists.

Kalmoesfontein Farm

For visitors to South Africa, wildlife encounters are often top of the list. Thornybush Game Lodge, located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, is a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Situated on a 34,000-acre private game reserve adjoining Kruger National Park, the luxury safari lodge offers its guests a chance to immerse themselves in the surrounding wilderness and get up close with the wildlife.

The Crystal Coast, a beautiful 85-mile stretch of beaches on the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, is a treasure trove of attractions and activities. This region includes several distinct communities such as Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Pine Knoll Shores, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Cape Lookout, each offering its own charm and appeal. A trip to North Carolina’s central stretch of coastline gives you easy access to pristine beaches, top diving destinations, wildlife (including wild horses, sea turtles, dolphins, and more), and plenty of areas perfect for when you want to do nothing more than kick back and relax with a drink and a good meal.

“There is definitely a moment for every food style but having a simple, well executed meal within a great environment is a great pleasure and surely a form of understated luxury for any food lover.”